Antona sells Simply Simpsons in Kenilworth

Michelin-star chef Andreas Antona has sold his Bib Gourmand-rated Simply Simpsons restaurant in Warwickshire off an asking price of £950,000.

The Birmingham office of Christie + Co sold the freehold to Midland Assured Group, which owns a collection of commercial and residential properties including the Horeston Grange Shopping Centre in Nuneaton and the Cole River Park development in Birmingham.

Located at 101-103 Warwick Road in the centre of Kenilworth, Simply Simpsons opened in 1992 and won a Michelin star in 1999.

Antona relocated the restaurant to a larger site in Birmingham in 2004 where it became the Michelin-star Simpsons Restaurant with Rooms, complete with cookery school and boutique.

He converted the original Kenilworth site into the more casual, bistro-style Simply Simpsons, which is recognised by Michelin as offering good food at moderate prices.

The three-storey, double-fronted building can seat up to 120 diners across the ground and first floors. The upper floor, currently unused, has the potential to be converted into a two-bedroom flat.

Outside, the property has private parking for 12 cars and outbuildings that are ripe for conversion.

The new owner, which manages all its assets in-house, intends to continue trading as Simply Simpsons under the management of the existing staff, who have agreed to remain with the restaurant and maintain its reputation.

By Angela Frewin